Kristen Montag, communications director for Meet Minneapolis -- the nonprofit tasked with putting together hospitality arrangements for the city's bid -- said hosting the big game could bring in well upward of $300 million.

That number comes from a Rock Analytics study about the economic impact hosting the 2012 Super Bowl had for Indianapolis.

The study found that gross expenditures during the two-week period leading up to and including the Super Bowl amounted to $384 million. When the city's expenses and an adjustment for displaced tourism were included, the "net incremental contribution to the Indianapolis metro GDP" was $278 million.

"We're a city that's very similar to Indianapolis -- a cold-weather city that competes with Indianapolis for a lot of convention business," Montag said, adding that the Indy Super Bowl "compares favorably to what would happen here."

Assuming the roughly $300 million figure is correct, that'd go a long way toward repaying the $498 public contribution toward stadium construction costs. But on the other hand, officials projected e-pulltabs would raise enough money to pay for the state's contribution to stadium construction... and we know how well that turned out.

Meet Minneapolis is partnering with the state, the Vikings, and some prominent corporate executives in the effort to prepare the city's bid. Mayor Betsy Hodges's office is less involved, with Hodges Communication Director Kate Brickman telling us yesterday that her office was just "getting up to speed" on the proposal.

Minneapolis's final bid is due by April 1. The NFL owners will decide between the three 2018 finalists -- the other two are Indy and New Orleans -- in May. Looks like it's time to call in some favors, Zygi.

-- Follow Aaron Rupar on Twitter at @atrupar. Got a tip? Drop him a line at arupar@citypages.com.